What will it take for the Cleveland Cavaliers to rediscover their offense and limit Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors' extra chances in the NBA playoffs?
In a tied series, with a pivotal Game 5 set for Wednesday night, it might be wise for the Cleveland Cavaliers to make a few changes against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
With an opportunity to reclaim momentum in their NBA playoff series with the Toronto Raptors, the Cleveland Cavaliers have to get back to their true identity offensively. They also have to play with a force and a will that wears down their confident, younger adversaries.
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson didn't hint at any drastic tweaks or rotational adjustments, but it would be smart for him to keep an open mind.
Thomas Bryant's rebounding and strength could be one way to fend off the Raptors' strong frontcourt, and Jaylon Tyson gaining more playing time at the 4 could prove to be a difference-maker.
Those are just two suggestions going forward that could prove effective.
In the latest episode of Courtside with Cavs, Spencer German and I predicted what Atkinson may have up his sleeve for the huge matchup and beyond in this series:
To keep the Raptors out of the game that they want to play, they've got to limit Scottie Barnes' paint touches. Make it difficult and deny him in those spots. Show a crowd in transition to stop him. We've heard about that so many times, when you look at guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo, so they can't get momentum going towards the basket. I think you're gonna see a lot of that.
I also think that you're gonna see Evan Mobley being more aggressive in his own way. He's gonna get the ball from the guards because they're gonna prioritize that, but I think Evan's gonna take it up himself to do that as well. And hey, I think that Thomas Bryant could see some minutes. I don't know who gets the boot or who loses minutes.
The series between the Cavs and Raptors is knotted at two games apiece, so it is now a best-of-three matchup. Game 5 at Rocket Arena is on Wednesday night. After that, the teams will head back up north for Game 6 at Scotiabank Arena on Friday.
Depending on which way the pendulum swings, May 3 would be the date in the case of a winner-take-all Game 7.
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